Historical Significance Behind Labor Day

It’s Labor Day here in the United States! Sept. 5, 2011 marks the unofficial end to the summer season, but also holds a more historical significance.

• The holiday was first observed on Sept. 5, 1882 by the Central Labor Union of New York. 
• After President Grover Cleveland ordered an end to the Pullman Strike, he decided he needed to do something to get approval from the labor movement. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. 
• The original celebration of Labor Day was a street parade to show the strength of the working man, followed by a festival for workers and their families.

In modern times, Labor Day is also an important day for the fashion-savvy and sports lovers.

•  Labor Day is considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white.
• The NFL and college football seasons traditionally start around Labor Day.

Information gathered from Wikipedia.com